I Love My Sister But I’m Scared Of Making Her Laugh
She doesn’t have a terminal illness or anything gory like that. She isn’t suffering from any of the coronavirus symptoms either. But over the years, moving away from her when something funny is said, or happens, has become automatic behaviour for me. The reason? Something Yoruba people call Abara.
You see, my sister and I have a great relationship. We gossip about our mother and drama in the extended family, talk about issues we are dealing with in our respective lives and we live together. She’s one of my closest friends and while I like to think I have a decent pain threshold, I’m not exactly chuffed at being hit with thunderous palm slaps because something tickles her funny bone.
No shade to people that can’t laugh without falling over or issuing physical assault to anyone around them, but you people need to cut that shit out. Why do I have to censor my funny because you lack control over your limbs? Honestly, sometimes I just want to punch my sister in the fucking throat when that slap hits my back or shoulders and she comes crashing down on me laughing. What the hell is so funny that’s causing all this physical movement?
Now, Lagos is on lockdown for two weeks and I have to figure how and when to be funny around this girl. Maybe I’ll even self-isolate myself from her. Or just punch her in the fucking throat next time. I don’t know yet. It’s going to be a rough two weeks so I’ll be needing the prayers of anyone reading this. If I come out of this brutalized with Abara, YOU KNOW THE PERSON RESPONSIBLE. Make una hold am.
I’ve been thinking about the many people out there who don’t have access to the internet or can’t afford to have this digital experience we often take for granted. I’ve also been thinking about those who survive on money they make daily, those who can’t afford to be confined to their houses and those who will lose their jobs as a result of this pandemic.
There’s also the homeless, the mentally ill and the destitute. How much their lives must have changed/worsened since the pandemic started and what all of this means for them in the near term and further down the road. Almost every aspect of society has been altered, maybe permanently, and there isn’t much anyone can do about it.
I don’t have any answers (I’m currently unemployed myself) but I think all of this can be just that much more bearable for the world if everyone (especially you reading this) is kinder to each other in these times. Help someone, show love, support, cheer and be responsible. Nothing like this has ever happened in human history so the status quo doesn’t hold anymore. Please do what you can.
Remember, you are love — spread it.
